While CeraVe makes great, basic cleansers and whole body lotions, don’t get it twisted — the brand make skin care, skin care too. By that, I mean stuff that’s highly praised for having the efficacy of high-end formulas minus the price. Case in point: the ever in-demand resurfacing retinol serum that’s currently buy one, get one 50% on Amazon if you’re fast enough to grab it. Plus the “one” that you grab is already on its own 15% off sale. That, people, is a worthy deal.

Deemed the brand’s “best kept secret” and “life-changing” skin care for smoothing bumps, lessening the appearance of pores, brightening dark spots, healing acne and acne scars, and generally helping menopausal and mature skin, reviewers say this stuff works better than options triple its price.

From acne to fine lines, reviewers call it a “cure-all” product that takes away any need to shell out for “super expensive skin care.”

“I’m a 50+ year-old woman who’s been dealing with both fine lines and dark spot marks, and I’m really impressed with the results from the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum,” one wrote.

“After using it for a few weeks, I’ve noticed my skin is smoother, my pores look smaller, and those stubborn dark spots are slowly fading.”

Created with encapsulated retinol, licorice root extract, niacinamide and ceramides 1, 3 and 6-11, the resurfacing serum is potent on trouble spots, but still mild enough to be used daily. These powerful ingredients work overtime to smooth and brighten skin, minimize pores and reduce acne marks without stripping the skin’s natural barrier. And, as with all CeraVe products, the serum is fragrance-free and designed not to clog pores.

“TIGHTENS AND REFINES,” one said. “Large pores really diminish with this serum! It’s compatible with my foundation and sunscreen and doesn’t dry my (mature, very dry) skin. Definitely will purchase again.”

A multi-tasking skin care product is nearly always a better buy.

“This product is life changing (paired with a CeraVe cleanser too)!!! I am 26 years old and have struggled badly with acne most of my twenties,” reviewer Kat wrote.

“This serum truly aids in reducing post acne marks and it’s also good to use in order to prevent fine lines. I’ve even applied the serum onto ingrown hair marks on my legs and they’ve gotten lighter.”

Reviewers credit the serum for leveling out the appearance of texture, discoloring, hyperpigmentation and blemishes. One reviewer who applies the serum at night writes they wake up with their face “feeling real nice and tight.” “My esthetician said my face has no wrinkles and my skin bounces back which us an amazing feeling,” they said.

″…My entire life I’ve suffered with acne scars, either from being in the sun too much or hormonal menopause changes recently,” another said. “This product has not only lightened these scars after the first bottle, I’m able to just wear a baby cream and concealer under my eyes period before that I will be wearing heavy foundation, powder, double cover up! I would recommend this to anyone looking to firm up their skin get rid of dark age spots, acne scars..”

If you’re new to retinol, you want to start off slowly with a thin layer and let it fully absorb before layering more products on. If you’re seasoned, then you likely already know this: Because retinol makes new skin cells grow super fast, it can create a sort of traffic-jam effect of breakouts and irritation as the dead skin cells try to exit your face all at once. Many reviews speak to this with the CeraVe serum, noting a “purge period” for about a month of use. But have no fear, it doesn’t last.

“THIS IS NORMAL and it goes away like magic,” one wrote about their purging period. “Not only did this delete my acne permanently, it also cured my dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and eye bags. I get so many compliments on my glowy smooth skin now, and people don’t even believe me when I say I used to have bad acne!”

Additionally, because retinol products can make you sunburn more easily, the brand recommends being diligent with daily facial sunscreen when using this product. This isn’t alarming either because truth be told, you should be doing this anyway — retinol or no retinol. (Plus, if you need a good UV-blocker, CeraVe has a highly-rated one that plays nicely with the serum, which is also a solid grab.)

Want to try the CeraVe resurfacing retinol serum? Read some five-star reviews from people who love it.

“I’m a 50+ year-old woman who’s been dealing with both fine lines and dark spot marks, and I’m really impressed with the results from the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum. After using it for a few weeks, I’ve noticed my skin is smoother, my pores look smaller, and those stubborn dark spots are slowly fading.

The serum has a lightweight, non-greasy texture that absorbs quickly and doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin. It helps brighten my complexion without causing dryness or redness. Plus, I don’t have to worry about clogged pores, which is a big concern for me.

Overall, this is a great option for mature skin looking to address signs of aging. I’m excited to keep using it and see even more improvement! Highly recommend it for anyone in their 40s or 50s with similar skin concerns.” — Joan’s RV Life

“Best kept secret! Excellent product, consistency and feel. Totally unexpected at this price point! Bought 2 in November for my daughter and I, couple of weeks later gave mine to my teenage son for his acne spots and just ordered 2 more tubes. LOVE IT. I may need to transition to Tret eventually, but this is a great warm up. I could feel results after 2 days…and overnight visual improvement of acne.” — LS

“Perfect for night time use and I get up and my face feeling real nice and tight. My esthetician said my face has no wrinkles and my skin bounces back which us an amazing feeling.” — S Salvatore

“Updated review: People of EVERY age need this product! I’ve officially been using it for three months, and not only did it literally erase the freckles off of my face, but I no longer have the deep 11 lines between my eyes anymore. Not to mention that when I started using this product, I had terrible breakouts of acne in my T-zone due to hormonal changes related to peri-menopause and for at least the last month, I have not had a single pimple or blackhead anywhere on my face despite having made no changes to my diet, activity level, medications, etc. Acne was the reason I started using it, but getting rid of wrinkles is an absolutely acceptable side effect!” — Della

Again, retinol makes you more sensitive to the sun, so a facial sunscreen is a must. Being better about your sunscreen will also help out with premature aging if that’s more of a motivator. Either way, here are 3 low-cost, high-quality options below — courtesy of HuffPost shopping.

The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through “fake” hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when there’s an exception, we’ll tell you why.)

Rosemary is a potent, government-studied ingredient in body care — namely for boosting thinning or balding hair. We’ve covered the stuff quite a bit, speaking to dermatologists and even trichologists (hair and scalp specialists, yes that’s a thing) about rosemary’s ability to condition and strengthen hair, soothe the scalp and even its potential to accelerate new hair growth.

Needless to say, we’re all for adding rosemary to your routine, so when we spotted this root-enhancing rosemary water spray from Korean beauty brand Aromatica and saw it was on sale, we knew we needed to tell the people. The spray is already cheaper on Amazon than it is on the brand’s website, and right now, when you hit the coupon for 15% off, you get even more savings — making the spray closer to 40% off its list price.

Not an oil or a mask, this “better than dry shampoo” water-based spray can go on wet or dry hair to give your strands a boost.

When it comes to products for hair retention and fullness, many options are made for the shower. While we love masks and shampoos, the Aromatica spray feels extra versatile and easy to incorporate, as a non-greasy spray that can be used wherever, whenever.

Users celebrate the pump bottle that creates a “fine spritz” that “doesn’t make the scalp/ hair looks greasy.” “Smells great and doesn’t make your hair feel weird!” one wrote. “I like the sprayer because you can get right to the roots!”

According to the brand, the formula is inspired by aromatherapy, made with a captivating mix of rosemary scalp hair oil and rosemary water as well as biotin, caffeine, salicylic acid, menthol, lavender and spearmint oils and other plant extracts. The formula is made to give conditions and strengthen your stands, but also to gently exfoliate and condition your scalp. Reviewers say it makes for a great thickening agent, but also works to make hair look clean, fresh and just good.

“I use the oil at night around the nape, but refresh my scalp in the morning with this daily,” one wrote. “This is better than dry shampoo! Using this with a little cool shot from the dryer to then dry the roots has helped me go 3 days without washing, and have clean and voluminous hair!”

Remember those previously-mentioned government studies? Rosemary doesn’t just smell good and make hair feel fresh — it’s actually been indicated to be a comparable alternative to minoxidil, a common over-the-counter hair loss treatment, in studies of adults dealing with hair loss from alopecia.

In previous HuffPost reporting, experts have confirmed these findings, with Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist, previously saying, “research has also indicated that rosemary oil can potentially accelerate hair growth by improving blood circulation in the scalp, which stimulates hair follicles.”

Many reviewers call the spray “a mist worth the money” speaking to choosing this rosemary spray over minoxidil.

“I bought this after reading a couple of studies that showed Rosemary and minoxidil both were used on human subjects with androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness),” Escanor said. “Results showed that rosemary essential oil was just as effective [as] minoxidil without the side effects. Also, this smells like heaven. It’s quiet relaxing once you use it on your scalp it’s great aromatherapy for the end of the day or beginning.”

Another reviewer who has traction alopecia says the spray has worked wonders. “I have tried oils that claim hair growth but this one really does help,” they said. “My side is filling up and looking darker with hair. I see long strands where it used to be bald! I used to use hair powder to cover up bald spots but I don’t have to anymore. While my hair is still thing hair has grown or hair is growing! I love it! It’s part of my hair routine!”

Reviewers are opting for this rosemary root spray to keep their locks feeling long and luscious. Read more 5-star reviews and grab a bottle on sale.

“I have been experiencing a tremendous amount of hair fall lately and am scared of going bald. However, I came across a mist/serum that has a non-greasy and non-sticky formula. It has a watery consistency and provides a cooling sensation when applied. I have seen good results so far and this is my second bottle of the product.” — Roshni Jariwala

“I have used this product for 2 days & there is a noticeable difference in my hair loss. I have been losing hair rapidly on a daily basis due to hormone imbalance. Strands of hair would fall out when I ran my fingers through my hair, stands on my pillow in the mornings and on my blouses. After showers I would have clumps of hair on the floor, it has been bad. I applied this product at night, the next morning there were no strands of hair on my pillow. I brushed my hair prepared to see the strands fall as they have been, but only 3 to 5 strands came off the brush….that is insane compared to the 20 to 30 strands that usually come off. I have recommended this product to other friends on HRT going through menopause, it’s a game changer!!” — Momof2

“For those whose hair is thinning or balding. I bought this after reading a couple of studies that showed Rosemary and minoxidil both were used on human subjects with androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness). Results showed that rosemary essential oil was just as effective a minoxidil without the side effects. Also, this smells like heaven. It’s quiet relaxing once you use it on your scalp it’s great aromatherapy for the end of the day or beginning.” — Escanor

“I have fine thin hair, and noticed after a recent surgery I had hair loss around the nape of my scalp due to the stress to my body and what I am sure is ‘traction alopecia’. I do wear my hair up nearly every day, so this was upsetting. I decided to try this as well as a rosemary scalp oil as research has shown rosemary is as effective as minoxidil in trials, and with monoxidil you have to use it forever or lose the hair you grew back from it. I use the oil at night around the nape, but refresh my scalp in the morning with this daily. This is better than dry shampoo! Using this with a little cool shot from the dryer to then dry the roots has helped me go 3 days without washing, and have clean and voluminous hair! I can’t speak yet to the effectiveness of growing my hair back with the help of rosemary products, but this is a great addition to my routine regardless.” — Seattle Kitten

The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through “fake” hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when there’s an exception, we’ll tell you why.)